Constant tension snap-fit assembly

ABSTRACT

A self-aligning jet pump assembly for draining a liquid trap has a jet pump nozzle and a nozzle carrier that are self-aligning.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional applicationSer. No. 14/813,964 filed Jul. 30, 2015, which is a bypass continuationapplication of International Application Nos. PCT/US2013/43288 andPCT/US2013/043294 filed May 30, 2013, which commonly claim the benefitof U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/760,022 filed Feb. 1, 2013, U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/760,023 filed Feb. 1, 2013, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/807,461 filed Apr. 2, 2013, all of whichare incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present teachings generally include a jet pump assembly for draininga liquid trap.

BACKGROUND

The efficiency and functionality of a jet pump assembly is highlydependent upon the alignment of the jet pump nozzle with the diffuser atwhich the nozzle tip is directed. Plastic components can change theirshape under different operating conditions. For example, plastic canswell in the presence of a medium such as automotive fuel, and thenre-dry, shrinking to a smaller size. The relative fit of plasticcomponents connected to one another can thus be dependent on theoperating conditions.

SUMMARY

A jet pump assembly for draining a liquid trap is provided that includesa unitary nozzle carrier and a unitary venturi nozzle. The unitarynozzle carrier has a wall with an entrance port. The nozzle carrier hasa longitudinal passage extending through the nozzle carrier and in fluidcommunication with the entrance port. The unitary venturi nozzle has aninlet and a nozzle tip forming an outlet. The nozzle carrier and theventuri nozzle are configured so that the venturi nozzle fits to thenozzle carrier in the longitudinal passage with the nozzle tip extendingpast the entrance port. The nozzle tip is in fluid communication withthe entrance port. The alignment of a longitudinal axis of the venturinozzle with a longitudinal axis of the nozzle carrier is thus dependentonly on the fit of the carrier portion and the venturi nozzle when theventuri nozzle is fit to the carrier portion.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages ofthe present teachings are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best modes for carrying out the present teachingswhen taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration in cross-sectional view of a liquidtrap assembly with a liquid trap and an integrated jet pump assembly,taken at the lines 1-1 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective illustration of the liquid trapassembly assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration in fragmentary cross-sectional viewof the jet pump assembly supported in the liquid trap assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustration of the jet pump assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration in cross-sectional view of the jetpump assembly in FIG. 4 taken at lines 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration taken at lines 6 inFIG. 4 of a venturi nozzle of the jet pump assembly of FIG. 4 with thenozzle carrier removed.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration taken at lines 7 inFIG. 4 of a nozzle carrier of the jet pump assembly of FIG. 4 with theventuri nozzle removed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration in cross-sectional view of analternative jet pump assembly for use in the liquid trap assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the liquid trap assembly of FIG. 1mounted in a fuel tank and part of a vehicle fuel system.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration in end view of the liquid trapassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration in cross-sectional view of theliquid trap assembly taken at lines 11-11 in FIG. 10 and showing ahousing connected to an end cap.

FIG. 12 is a close-up fragmentary cross-sectional view of an extensionof the housing trapped in a recess of the end cap under a firstoperating condition.

FIG. 13 is a close-up fragmentary cross-sectional view of the extensionof the housing trapped in the recess of the end cap under a secondoperating condition.

FIG. 14 is a close-up fragmentary cross-sectional view of the extensionof the housing trapped in the recess of the end cap under a thirdoperating condition.

FIG. 15 is a close-up fragmentary cross-sectional view of an alternateextension for the housing shown trapped in the recess of the end capunder the first operating condition.

FIG. 16 is a close-up fragmentary cross-sectional view of the alternateextension of the housing trapped in the recess of the end cap under thesecond operating condition.

FIG. 17 is a close-up fragmentary cross-sectional view of the alternateextension of the housing trapped in the recess of the end cap under thethird operating condition.

FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration in exploded perspective view of theliquid trap assembly of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to likecomponents throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a liquid trapassembly 10 that efficiently drains liquid collected from vapor. Theliquid trap assembly 10 can also be referred to as an active liquiddrain. The liquid trap assembly 10 has a housing 12. The housing 12 hasa first port, referred to as a vapor flow inlet 14 (shown in FIG. 2) anda second port, referred to as a vapor flow outlet 16 in fluidcommunication with an interior cavity 18 formed at least in part by thehousing 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the outlet 16 is formed by an upper cap13 secured to the housing 12 with tabs 15 fit through tab retainers 17.Vapor flows from the vapor flow inlet 14, through the cavity 18, to thevapor flow outlet 16. Liquid entrained in the vapor flow is collected ina liquid trap 20 formed by the housing 12 at the bottom of the housing12. A filter 19 extends across the lowest portion of the trap 20. Theoutlet 16 can be replaced by an outlet valve, or the housing 12 can haveno outlet.

An end cap 23 is connected to the housing 12 in a manner describedherein. The housing 12 can be a one-piece, molded plastic component. Theend cap 23 can also be a one-piece, molded plastic component. Either orboth of the housing 12 and an end cap 23 described can have featuresthat promote separation of liquid and vapor, such as baffles and ribs.As used herein, the end cap 23 is referred to as a first component ofthe liquid trap assembly 10, and the housing 12 is referred to as asecond component of the liquid trap assembly 10.

The liquid trap assembly 10 can be used in many applications. In oneapplication described herein, the liquid trap assembly 10 is used in afuel vapor recovery system 21 on a vehicle, shown schematically in FIG.9. The vehicle can be a diesel, gasoline, or hybrid application. Vaporis vented from a fuel tank 22 that contains liquid fuel 93. The vapor isvented through a vapor vent valve 26 that may provide pressure relief,rollover shutoff, and other functions. Vapor flows from the vapor ventvalve 26 to the liquid trap assembly 10 through the inlet 14 and exitsthrough the outlet 16 to a vapor recovery device, such as a canister (C)28 filled with carbon granules. The canister 28 is periodically purgedto an engine (E) 30. The liquid trap assembly 10 is shown mounted withinthe fuel tank 22. Alternatively, the liquid trap assembly 10 can beexternal to the fuel tank 22.

Referring to FIG. 1, the housing 12 forms a first opening 35 in asidewall adjacent to the liquid trap 20. The opening 35 is selectivelyclosed by a check valve 36. Any type of valve can be used to close theopening 35, or there can be no valve at the opening 35. The check valve36 includes a valve body 38 and a spring 40 that biases the valve body38 into the first opening 35 to close the opening 35 and separate thecavity 18 and liquid trap 20 from a valve cavity 42 in which the spring40 and valve body 38 are movable, as described herein. When the checkvalve 36 closes the opening 35, it also prevents liquid from entering orexiting the liquid trap 20 through the opening 35. The valve body 38 isgenerally annular and has a generally cone-shaped end that extends intothe cavity 18. The spring 40 has a diameter that fits inside thegenerally annular valve body 38. A valve body with a different shape canalso be used. For example, a ball valve may be used to close the opening35.

The liquid trap assembly 10 includes a jet pump assembly 44. The jetpump assembly 44 includes a nozzle carrier 46 and a venturi nozzle 48.The nozzle carrier 46 has an entrance port 50 that extends through agenerally annular outer wall 55 of the nozzle carrier 46 in operativefluid communication with the liquid trap 20, as best shown in FIG. 1.That is, a lower extent 53 of the cavity 42 is in communication with theentrance port 50. When the valve 36 opens, the spring 40 depresses, andthe valve body 38 will move past the lower extent 53 (to the left inFIG. 1) so that the liquid trap 20 empties to the lower extent 53 andthrough the entrance port 50 into a longitudinal passage 52 (shown inFIG. 3) of the nozzle carrier 46. The longitudinal passage 52 extendscompletely through the nozzle carrier 46 as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 7,and is larger in the carrier portion 54 than in the diffuser portion 58.The longitudinal passage 52 is in fluid communication with the entranceport 50. The valve 36 is configured to prevent draining of the liquidtrap 20 by the jet pump assembly 44 when a pressure differential createdby liquid flow through the venturi nozzle 48 is below a predeterminedlevel, and to allow fluid communication between the jet pump assembly 44and the liquid trap 20 when the pressure differential is above thepredetermined level. It should be appreciated, however, that the valve36 is optional, and the jet pump assembly 44 could drain the liquid trap20 sufficiently if no valve 36 was present.

Flow through the venturi nozzle 48 induces draining of the liquid trap20. As shown in FIG. 9, the jet pump assembly 44 is connected by tubing90, 94 to a fuel pump 92 submerged in the liquid fuel 93. The fuel pump92 is also connected to the engine 30 via fuel discharge tubing 94. Fuelis discharged from the fuel pump 92 at relatively high pressure throughthe fuel discharge tubing 94. The tubing 90 branches from the fueldischarge tubing 94, providing relatively high pressure liquid fuel flowto an inlet portion 63 of the housing 12 that is in fluid communicationwith an inlet 64 of the nozzle 48 indicated in FIG. 3.

Referring again to FIG. 1, fluid flowing out of the nozzle 48 creates avacuum or at least a relatively low pressure area in the longitudinalpassage 52 adjacent the entrance port 50. Pressure is also reduced inthe cavity 42 due to the vacuum or low pressure in the longitudinalpassage 52, creating a pressure differential across the valve body 36,as pressure in the cavity 42 is lower than pressure in the cavity 18.When the pressure differential reaches a predetermined level such that aforce created by the pressure differential on the area of the valve body38 exposed to the cavity 18 is greater than the force keeping the checkvalve 36 shut (in this case the force of the spring 40), the valve body38 will move toward the end cap 23, compressing the spring 40 andestablishing fluid communication between the liquid trap 20 and theentrance port 50. The jet pump assembly 44 is a fuel discharge assemblythat has the propelling mechanism, due to the pressure differential andjet action through the nozzle 48, to discharge liquid fuel in the trap20 to the fuel tank 22.

The jet pump assembly 44 utilizes high pressure fluid from the fuel pump92 which flows through the nozzle 48 with a high velocity. The flowthrough the nozzle 48 is referred to as the primary flow or primarystream. The high velocity fluid leaving the nozzle 48 creates a lowpressure or a vacuum in the area adjacent the nozzle 48, such as at theentrance port 50. The pressure differential between the high pressurefluid exiting the nozzle 48 and the lower extent 53 of the cavity 42adjacent the nozzle 48 induces flow, such as through the entrance port50, referred to as an induced stream or secondary flow.

Referring to FIG. 1, the jet pump assembly 44 has an optional pressurereducer 61 located in the passage 57 formed by the inlet portion 63 ofthe housing 12, upstream of the inlet 64 and the nozzle 48. The pressurereducer 61 can instead be located further upstream of the jet pumpassembly 44 such as in a vent line leading to the jet pump assembly 44.The pressure reducer 61 reduces pressure and volume flow rate of fluidflow through the inlet portion 63 to the nozzle 48, while increasingvelocity of flow through the nozzle 48.

A diffuser portion 58 of the nozzle carrier 46 is shown in FIG. 3supported by the housing 12. The longitudinal passage 52 in the diffuserportion 58 is in fluid communication with a diffuser passage 59 formedby an outlet 65 of the housing 12 (best shown in FIG. 1) to increasepressure and reduce velocity of the fluid. Many factors affect theperformance and efficiency of the jet pump assembly 44, including fluidmolecular weight, feed temperature, position of the nozzle 48, throatdimension, motive velocity, Reynolds number, pressure ratio, specificheat ratio, and the angle between the motive and induced stream.

The nozzle carrier 46 also has a carrier portion 54 extending from afirst end 56 of the nozzle carrier 46 to the entrance port 50. Thediffuser portion 58 of the nozzle carrier 46 extends from the entranceport 50 to a second end 60 of the nozzle carrier 46 opposite the firstend 56. FIGS. 4 and 7 show that there are several additional ports 50A,50B, 50C that extend through the nozzle carrier 46, and are spacedangularly about the nozzle carrier 46 in the vicinity of the entranceport 50. A fourth entrance port 50 is opposite port 50C and betweenports 50 and 50B. A filter 51 shown in FIG. 3 surrounds the nozzlecarrier 46 at the port 50 to screen liquid entering the port 50 from thetrap 20. The nozzle carrier 46 has a longitudinal center axis A1.

The venturi nozzle 48 has a body portion 62 with an inlet 64, and anozzle portion 66 with a nozzle tip 68 forming an outlet 70. The nozzle48 also has a longitudinal center axis A2. The nozzle carrier 46 and theventuri nozzle 48 are configured so that the body portion 62 fits to thecarrier portion 54 in the longitudinal passage 52, with the nozzleportion 66 extending past the entrance port 50 so that the nozzle tip 68is directed into the diffuser portion 58. The fit of the body portion 62to the carrier portion 54 is a press-fit. As shown in FIG. 5, the nozzlecarrier 46 has spaced, radially-inwardly extending ridges 47 extendinginto the longitudinal passage 52 so that the body portion 62 of theventuri nozzle 48 is fit to the carrier portion 54 of the nozzle carrier46 at the ridges 47.

The nozzle 48 is inserted into the longitudinal passage 52 from thefirst end 56 until a first stepped shoulder 72 of the body portion 62abuts an outer wall 55 of the nozzle carrier 46 at the first end 56. Inthis position, a predetermined clearance 71 exists between the tip 68and the inner wall of the diffuser portion 58 defining the passage 52.

Alignment of the longitudinal axis A2 of the venturi nozzle 48 with thelongitudinal axis A1 of the nozzle carrier 46 is dependent only on thenozzle carrier 46 and the venturi nozzle 48 when the venturi nozzle 48is fit to the nozzle carrier 46 in this manner. More specifically, allother surrounding components that support the jet pump assembly 44 areconfigured to have larger radial clearances between the jet pumpassembly 44 and the components than a clearance 67 of the tightpress-fit of the body portion 62 of the nozzle 48 to the carrier portion54 of the nozzle carrier 46. The axes A1, A2 remain substantiallyaligned under all operating conditions due to the controlled clearance67. For example, in FIG. 3, the carrier portion 54 is supported by theend cap 23 in a first cylindrical cavity 74 of the end cap 23. A firstclearance 76 between the end cap 23 and the carrier portion 54 is muchlarger than the press-fit clearance 67 of the nozzle body portion 62 tothe carrier portion 54. A clearance 73 between a first stepped portion75 of the nozzle 48 and a cylindrical extension 77 of the end cap 23 isalso larger than the clearance 67 of the nozzle 48 to the nozzle carrier46. Finally, a second shoulder 79 of the nozzle 48 flares outward toform a second shoulder portion 81. A clearance 83 between the secondshoulder portion 81 and the end cap 23 in the cavity 74 is larger thanthe press-fit clearance 67 of the nozzle 48 to the nozzle carrier 46. Aresilient ring 85 stabilizes the second shoulder portion 81 on theextension 77. A resilient O-ring seal 87 stabilizes the first shoulderportion 75 on the extension 77.

The diffuser portion 58 of the nozzle carrier 46 is press-fit to thehousing 12 in a cylindrical cavity 78 of the housing 12 along only asmall press-fit portion 80 of an exterior surface 84 of the diffuserportion 58. In other words, the radial clearance 82 between the diffuserportion 58 and the housing 12 at the cavity 78 is greater in all otherareas than at the press-fit portion 80. The nozzle 48 can be a machined,deep drawn metal in order to ensure the precise press-fit clearance 67of the nozzle 48 to the nozzle carrier 46. The nozzle carrier 46 can bea plastic injection-molded component such as a glass-filledpolyoxymethylene plastic (POM) or similar grade with a predetermined lowfuel-swell performance in the presence of automotive fuel.

In an alternative embodiment of a jet pump assembly 144 shown in FIG. 8,the nozzle carrier 146 can be machined, deep drawn metal, and the nozzle148 can be a plastic injection molded component such as a glass-filledPOM or similar grade plastic with a predetermined low fuel-swellperformance in the presence of automotive fuel. In still otherembodiments, both the nozzle and the nozzle carrier can be a deep drawnmetal, or both can be injection-molded plastic components.

The components of the jet pump assembly 44, the end cap 23, and thehousing 12 are configured so that the clearances 67, 71, 73, 76, 82, 83and other clearances are not less than predetermined minimum clearancesunder a predetermined range of operating conditions that includes amaximum fuel swell condition and a re-dry of the components from thefuel swell condition. Under this configuration, variations in the sizesof the radial clearances 67, 71, 73, 76, 79, 82, 83 will not affect therelative fit of the nozzle 48 to the nozzle carrier 46. The assemblednozzle 48 and nozzle carrier 46 will be able to move radially as a unitrelative to the end cap 23 and the housing 12, and to rotate as a unitrelative to the end cap 23 and the housing 12 about the alignedlongitudinal center axes A1, A2 without affecting the alignment of thelongitudinal axis A1 of the nozzle carrier 46 with the longitudinal axisA2 of the nozzle 48. If the entire jet pump assembly 44 rotates as aunit, the additional ports 50A, 50B, etc. will allow liquid to draininto the longitudinal passage 52 as one will be in communication withthe lower extent 53 regardless of the position of the port 50 relativeto the lower extent 53.

In order for the the nozzle 48 to remain sufficiently axially alignedwith the nozzle carrier 46 throughout the range of operating conditions,a constant axial compressive force should be maintained in the jet pumpassembly 44. Accordingly, the liquid trap assembly 10 provides aconstant tension snap-fit between a first component (i.e., the end cap23) and a second component (i.e., the housing 12) to create a constantaxial compressive force on additional components, such as a the nozzle48 and the nozzle carrier 46, supported by and between the first andsecond components to prevent relative axial movement of the nozzle 48and the nozzle carrier 46. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 18, the end cap23 has a first outer surface 100 and a plurality of spaced extensions102 and 102A extending outward from the first outer surface 100. Thefirst outer surface 100 is generally cylindrical.

The housing 12 has a flexible rim 104 surrounding and partially defininga cavity 105, indicated in FIG. 1. The cavity 105 is configured tocontain a portion of the end cap 23 when the end cap 23 is partiallyinserted into the cavity 105, and to contain the cavity 42 with spring40 and check valve 36. The flexible rim 104 is generally cylindrical andis configured to surround the first outer surface 100 when the end cap23 is fit partially within the cavity 105. The flexible rim 104 is shownwith discrete flap portions 106 in FIG. 2, but could instead becontinuous and unsectioned.

The flexible rim 104 has spaced recesses 108 that have a spacingsubstantially equal to the spacing of the extensions 102, 102A. The rim104 flexes to surround the end cap 23 and trap the extensions 102 in therecesses 108. Although flexible, the rim 104 remains biased toward anunflexed state when in the flexed state shown in FIG. 2. The unflexedstate is the position of the rim 104 when the end cap 23 is removed fromthe cavity 105. In the unflexed state, the effective diameter of the rim104 will be less than in the flexed state. In other words, the flexiblerim 104 is configured with a material, such as a plastic, that hassufficient stiffness to return to a pre-stressed or unflexed state whenan object or force causing the flexed state is removed. When flexed, theflexible rim 104 provides a constant radially-inward force F (i.e., aforce toward the center axis A3 of the flexible rim 104) as shown inFIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 18, some of the extensions 102A have a centerportion 109 that interrupts the angled surfaces and acts as ananti-rotation feature to prevent axial movement of the end cap 23relative to the housing 12. The end cap 23 and the housing 12 can be thesame material or a different material, such as the same or differenttypes of plastic that can swell and shrink in the presence of fuel orother medium over the range of operating conditions.

The extensions 102, 102A and the flexible rim 104 are configured so thatthe extensions 102, 102A will be retained in the recesses 108 and willprevent the rim 104 from returning to the unflexed state over apredetermined range of operating conditions experienced by the assembly10 during use. As explained herein, the constant radially-inward force Fof the rim 104, illustrated at each flap portion 106 of FIG. 2, createsa force F1 at the interface of each extension 102 with the rim 104 thatpulls the housing 12 toward the end cap 23, and a reaction force F2 atthe interface of each extension 102, 102A with the rim 104 that pushesthe end cap 23 toward the housing 12. The forces F1, F2 are maintainedover the predetermined range of operating conditions due to the bias ofthe rim 104 toward the unflexed state. The force F1 and reaction forceF2 are in opposite directions, and are parallel with a center axis A3 ofthe end cap 23 and flexible rim 104 shown in FIG. 1. The center axis A3is in turn parallel with the aligned axes A1, A2 of the nozzle 48 andnozzle carrier 46.

FIGS. 12-14 show the interface of one of the extensions 102 with theflexible rim 104 in greater detail, and are representative of theinterface of each of the extensions 102, 102A with the rim 104. Theextension 102 shown is the lower extension of FIG. 11 but rotated inview to show the extension 102 generally upright. The extension 102 hasa base 110 with a first width W1 at the outer surface 100 of the end cap23. The bottom of the extension 102 is the base 110. Each recess 108 hasa second width W2 narrower than the first width W1 to prevent the base110 from fitting within the recess 108 under the predetermined range ofoperating conditions. In other words, the base 110 is configured to betoo wide to fit within the recess 108 under the entire range ofoperating conditions, including swelling of the end cap 23 and housing12 that can occur in the presence of fuel, and re-drying of the end cap23 and housing 12 after such swelling. As shown in FIG. 12, the positionof the rim 104 on the extension 102 is a nominal state representingoperating conditions that are neither: (i) those causing a maximum swellof components; nor (ii) those causing a minimum size of the components,such as would occur without any swelling after a re-dry.

Each extension 102, 102A has a first angled surface 112 and a secondangled surface 114 that each extend from the outer surface 100 atopposite ends of the base 110 and meet at a ridge 116. The first angledsurface 112 has a first portion 118 with a first incline relative to thebase 110, and a second portion 120 with a second incline relative to thebase 110. The first portion 118 extends from the base 110 to the secondportion 120, and the second portion 120 extends from the first portion118 to the ridge 116. The second incline is steeper than the firstincline. This is indicated in FIG. 13 by a first angle of incline θ1 ofthe first portion 118 being less than a second angle of incline θ2 ofthe second portion 120.

The extension 102 is configured so that an edge 122 of the flexible rim104 at the recess 108 in which the extension 102 is retained rests alongthe first angled surface 112 under the entire predetermined range ofoperating conditions. An overall axial dimension X shown in FIG. 3 inwhich the nozzle carrier 46 and nozzle 48 are constrained changes as thenozzle carrier 46, end cap 23, and housing 12 swell due to fuel exposureand shrink due to re-drying after exposure to fuel or other medium. Boththe relative axial dimensions of these components as well as theclearances between the components change. For example, FIG. 13represents the relative positions of the extension 102 and the flexiblerim 104 when nozzle carrier 46, end cap 23, and housing 12 shrink due tore-drying after exposure to fuel or other medium. FIG. 13 represents theminimum sizes of these components under these predetermined operatingconditions. In that instance, because the axial dimension X is likely toshrink, the extensions 102, 102A will be axially closer to the recesses108, there will be less tension between the flexible rim 104 and theextensions 102, 102A, and the edge 122 of the rim 104 will rest closerto the base 110 along the surface 118 than under the first predeterminedoperating condition of FIG. 12. Even under this operating condition,however, the rim 104 is prevented from returning to an unflexed state,and some force F1 and reaction force F2 is maintained, also acting onthe nozzle carrier 46 and nozzle 48 to keep these components formrelative axial movement. That is, the forces F1, F2 also act at thesecond end 60 of the nozzle carrier 46 and the housing 12, and at thestepped shoulder 72 and the nozzle 48, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 represents the relative positions of the extension 102 and theflexible rim 104 when the nozzle carrier 46, end cap 23, and housing 12swell due to exposure to fuel or other medium. FIG. 14 represents themaximum sizes of these components under all of the operating conditions.In that instance, because the axial dimension X is likely to be larger,the extensions 102, 102A will be axially further from the recesses 108,there will be greater tension between the flexible rim 104 and theextensions 102, 102A, and the edge 122 of the rim 104 will rest furtherfrom the base 110 along the surface 120. The rim 104 is prevented fromreturning to an unflexed state, and a force F1 and reaction force F2 ismaintained, also acting on the nozzle carrier 46 and nozzle 48 to keepthese components from relative axial movement.

FIGS. 15-17 show an alternate extension 202 that can be used with otherlike spaced extensions on the end cap 23 to interface with the flexiblerim 104 in a manner that will provide a constant tension and resultantaxial force on the nozzle carrier 46 and nozzle 48 under thepredetermined range of operating conditions. The extension 202 has afirst angled surface 212 and a second angled surface 214 both extendingfrom a base 210 and meeting at at ridge 216. Unlike the extension 102,the first angled surface 212 does not have different portions withdifferent angles of incline relative to the base 110.

FIG. 15 shows the rim 104 and extension 202 in a nominal state in whichthe edge 122 of the rim 104 at the recess 108 interfaces with the firstangled surface 212. The rim 104 is prevented from returning to anunflexed state, and some force F1 and reaction force F2 is maintained ateach extension 202, also acting on the nozzle carrier 46 and nozzle 48to keep these components from relative axial movement.

FIG. 16 represents the relative positions of the extension 202 and theflexible rim 104 when the nozzle carrier 46, end cap 23, and housing 12shrink due to re-drying after exposure to fuel or other medium. FIG. 16represents the minimum sizes of these components under all of theoperating conditions. In that instance, because the axial dimension X ofFIG. 3 is likely to be smaller, the extensions 202 will be axiallycloser to the recesses 108, there will be less tension between theflexible rim 104 and the extensions 202, and the edge 122 of the rim 104will rest closer to the base 210 along the surface 212. Even under thisoperating condition, the rim 104 is prevented from returning to anunflexed state, and a force F1 and reaction force F2 are maintained,also acting on the nozzle carrier 46 and nozzle 48 to keep thesecomponents from relative axial movement.

FIG. 17 represents the relative positions of the extension 202 and theflexible rim 104 when the nozzle carrier 46, end cap 23, and housing 12swell due to exposure to fuel or other medium. FIG. 17 represents themaximum sizes of these components under all of the operating conditions.In that instance, because the axial dimension X of FIG. 3 is likely tobe larger, the extensions 202 will be axially further from the recesses108, there will be greater tension between the flexible rim 104 and theextensions 202, and the edge 122 of the rim 104 will rest further fromthe base 210 along the surface 212. The rim 104 is prevented fromreturning to an unflexed state, and a force F1 and reaction force F2 aremaintained, also acting on the nozzle carrier 46 and nozzle 48 to keepthese components from relative axial movement.

The constant tension snap-fit ability of the extensions 102 or 202 on afirst component (such as a housing 12) and recesses 108 on a secondcomponent (such as an end cap 23) could be used in other applications.In other words, an assembly other than a liquid trap assembly having theextensions and recesses with a constant tension snap-fit as describedcould be used to provide requisite constant axial force on othercomponents requiring no relative axial movement.

The reference numbers used in the drawings and the specification alongwith the corresponding components are as follows:

-   -   10 liquid trap assembly    -   12 housing/second component    -   13 upper cap    -   14 first port/vapor flow inlet    -   15 tab    -   16 second port/vapor flow outlet    -   17 tab retainer    -   18 interior cavity    -   19 filter    -   20 liquid trap    -   21 fuel vapor recovery system    -   22 fuel tank    -   23 end cap/first component    -   26 vapor vent valve    -   28 canister (C)    -   30 engine (E)    -   35 first opening of housing 12    -   36 check valve    -   38 valve body    -   40 spring    -   42 valve cavity    -   44 jet pump assembly    -   46 nozzle carrier    -   47 ridges    -   48 venturi nozzle    -   50 entrance port    -   50A entrance port    -   50B entrance port    -   50C entrance port    -   51 filter    -   52 longitudinal passage of nozzle carrier    -   53 lower extent of cavity 42    -   54 carrier portion    -   55 wall    -   56 first end of nozzle carrier 46    -   57 passage    -   58 diffuser portion    -   59 diffuser passage    -   60 second end of nozzle carrier 46    -   61 reducer    -   62 body portion of nozzle 48    -   63 inlet portion of housing 12    -   64 inlet of nozzle 48    -   65 outlet of housing 12    -   66 nozzle portion    -   67 clearance of nozzle 48 to carrier portion 54    -   68 nozzle tip    -   70 outlet of nozzle 48    -   71 predetermined clearance    -   72 first stepped shoulder of body portion    -   73 clearance first stepped portion 75 and cylindrical extension        77    -   74 first cylindrical cavity of end cap    -   75 first stepped portion of nozzle 48    -   76 first clearance of end cap 23 to carrier portion 54    -   77 cylindrical extension of end cap    -   78 cylindrical cavity of housing 12    -   79 second shoulder of nozzle 48    -   80 press-fit portion    -   81 second shoulder portion    -   82 radial clearance of diffuser portion 58 and housing 12    -   83 clearance second shoulder portion 81 to end cap 23    -   84 exterior surface of diffuser portion 58    -   85 resilient ring    -   87 O-ring seal    -   90 tubing    -   92 fuel pump (P)    -   93 liquid fuel    -   94 fuel discharge tubing    -   100 first outer surface of end cap 23    -   102 extensions of end cap 23    -   102A extensions of end cap 23    -   104 flexible rim of housing 12    -   105 cavity of housing 12    -   106 flap portions of rim    -   108 recesses in rim    -   109 center portion of extension 102A    -   110 base of extension 102    -   112 first angled surface    -   114 second angled surface    -   116 ridge    -   118 first portion of first angled surface    -   120 second portion of second angled surface    -   122 edge of rim 104    -   146 nozzle carrier    -   148 nozzle    -   202 extension    -   210 base    -   212 first angled surface    -   214 second angled surface    -   216 ridge    -   A1 longitudinal center axis of nozzle carrier 48    -   A2 longitudinal center axis of nozzle 48    -   A3 center axis of rim 104 and end cap 13    -   C canister    -   E engine    -   F force of rim    -   F1 force of extension 102 on rim 104    -   F2 reaction force of rim on extension    -   P pump    -   X axial dimension    -   W1 first width of base    -   W2 width of recess    -   θ1 first angle of incline    -   θ2 second angle of incline

While the best modes for carrying out the many aspects of the presentteachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art towhich these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspectsfor practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A jet pump assembly comprising: a unitary nozzle carrier having awall with an entrance port; wherein the nozzle carrier has alongitudinal passage extending through the nozzle carrier and in fluidcommunication with the entrance port; a unitary venturi nozzle having aninlet and a nozzle tip forming an outlet; wherein the venturi nozzle isconfigured to fit to the nozzle carrier in the longitudinal passage sothat alignment of a longitudinal axis of the nozzle with a longitudinalaxis of the venturi nozzle is affected only by the fit of the nozzlecarrier to the venturi nozzle; and wherein the nozzle tip extends pastthe entrance port and is in fluid communication with the entrance portwhen the venturi nozzle is fit to the nozzle carrier.
 2. The jet pumpassembly of claim 1, wherein the venturi nozzle has a first steppedshoulder configured to abut an outer end surface of the nozzle carrierwhen the venturi nozzle is fit to the carrier portion in thelongitudinal passage so that a clearance exists between the nozzle tipand the nozzle carrier.
 3. The jet pump assembly of claim 2, wherein theventuri nozzle has a second stepped shoulder remote from the nozzlecarrier when the first stepped shoulder abuts the outer end surface; anda seal received on the second stepped shoulder.
 4. The jet pump assemblyof claim 3, further comprising: a resilient member positioned inside ofthe nozzle at the second stepped shoulder.
 5. The jet pump assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the nozzle carrier has spaced ridges extending into thelongitudinal passage so that the venturi nozzle is fit to the nozzlecarrier at the ridges.
 6. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein theentrance port is a first entrance port, and further comprising: anadditional entrance port extending through the nozzle carrier in fluidcommunication with the longitudinal passage, and spaced angularly fromthe first entrance port.
 7. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, incombination with a housing forming a liquid trap and an end cap closingone end of the housing; wherein the entrance port is in operative fluidcommunication with the liquid trap; and wherein the nozzle carrier issupported by both the housing and the end cap.
 8. The jet pump assemblyin combination with the housing and end cap of claim 7, wherein a firstclearance is defined between the nozzle carrier and the end cap under apredetermined range of operating conditions; and wherein the nozzlecarrier and the housing are configured to have a press-fit along only aportion of an exterior surface of the nozzle carrier under thepredetermined range of operating conditions; the nozzle carrier and thenozzle thereby being movable as a unit relative to the end cap and thehousing within the first clearance without affecting the alignment ofthe longitudinal axis of the nozzle carrier with the longitudinal axisof the nozzle.
 9. The jet pump assembly of claim 7, wherein the end caphas a first outer surface and a plurality of spaced extensions extendingoutward from the first outer surface; wherein the housing has a flexiblerim surrounding a cavity; wherein the rim has spaced recesses; whereinthe rim is biased toward an unflexed state when in a flexed state;wherein the end cap is configured to fit at least partially into thecavity with the rim flexing to surround the end cap and trap theextensions in the recesses; tension of the flexed rim maintaining aconstant axial compression force on the nozzle and nozzle carrier.
 10. Ajet pump assembly comprising: a nozzle carrier having an entrance port;wherein the nozzle carrier has a longitudinal passage extending throughthe nozzle carrier and in fluid communication with the entrance port;wherein the nozzle carrier has a carrier portion extending from a firstend to the entrance port, and a diffuser portion extending from theentrance port to a second end opposite the first end; a venturi nozzlehaving a body portion with an inlet, and a nozzle portion with a nozzletip forming an outlet; wherein the body portion is configured to fit tothe carrier portion in the longitudinal passage so that alignment of alongitudinal axis of the venturi nozzle with a longitudinal axis of thenozzle carrier is dependent only on the carrier portion and the venturinozzle; and wherein the nozzle portion extends past the entrance portwith the nozzle tip directed into the diffuser portion when the bodyportion is fit to the carrier portion.
 11. The jet pump assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the venturi nozzle has a first stepped shoulderconfigured to abut an outer end surface of the nozzle carrier at thefirst end when the body portion is fit to the carrier portion in thelongitudinal passage so that a predetermined clearance exists betweenthe nozzle tip and the diffuser portion.
 12. The jet pump assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the carrier portion has spaced ridges extending intothe longitudinal passage so that the body portion of the venturi nozzleis fit to the carrier portion at the ridges.
 13. The jet pump assemblyof claim 10, wherein the entrance port is a first entrance port, andfurther comprising: an additional entrance port extending through thenozzle carrier in fluid communication with the longitudinal passage, andspaced angularly from the first entrance port.
 14. The jet pump assemblyof claim 10, in combination with a housing forming a liquid trap and anend cap closing one end of the housing; wherein the entrance port is inoperative fluid communication with the liquid trap; and wherein thediffuser portion is supported by the housing and the carrier portion issupported by the end cap.
 15. The jet pump assembly in combination withthe housing and end cap of claim 14, wherein a first clearance isdefined between the carrier portion and the end cap under apredetermined range of operating conditions; and wherein the diffuserportion and the housing are configured to have a press-fit along only aportion of an exterior surface of the diffuser portion under thepredetermined range of operating conditions; the nozzle carrier and thenozzle thereby being movable as a unit relative to the end cap and thehousing within the first clearance without affecting the alignment ofthe longitudinal axis of the nozzle carrier with the longitudinal axisof the nozzle.
 16. A jet pump assembly comprising: a unitary nozzlecarrier having a wall with a first entrance port; wherein the nozzlecarrier has a longitudinal passage extending through the nozzle carrierand in fluid communication with the first entrance port; wherein thewall has an additional entrance port extending through the nozzlecarrier in fluid communication with the longitudinal passage, and spacedangularly from the first entrance port; a unitary venturi nozzle havingan inlet and a nozzle tip forming an outlet; wherein the venturi nozzleis configured to fit to the nozzle carrier in the longitudinal passageso that alignment of a longitudinal axis of the nozzle with alongitudinal axis of the venturi nozzle is affected only by the fit ofthe nozzle carrier to the venturi nozzle; wherein the nozzle tip extendspast the first entrance port and is in fluid communication with theentrance port when the venturi nozzle is fit to the nozzle carrier; andwherein the venturi nozzle has a first stepped shoulder configured toabut an outer end surface of the nozzle carrier when the venturi nozzleis fit to the carrier portion in the longitudinal passage so that aclearance exists between the nozzle tip and the nozzle carrier.
 17. Thejet pump assembly of claim 16, wherein the nozzle carrier has spacedridges extending into the longitudinal passage so that the venturinozzle is fit to the nozzle carrier at the ridges.
 18. The jet pumpassembly of claim 16, wherein the venturi nozzle has a second steppedshoulder remote from the nozzle carrier when the first stepped shoulderabuts the outer end surface; and a seal received on the second steppedshoulder.
 19. The jet pump assembly of claim 18, further comprising: aresilient member positioned inside of the nozzle at the second steppedshoulder.
 20. The jet pump assembly of claim 16, in combination with ahousing forming a liquid trap and an end cap closing one end of thehousing; wherein the entrance port is in operative fluid communicationwith the liquid trap; and wherein the diffuser portion is supported bythe housing and the carrier portion is supported by the end cap.